Chelsea will welcome the return of Diego Costa on Saturday as they look to get one over on their bitter West London rivals at Stamford Bridge.
Date: Saturday, November 1st Kick-off: 15:00 GMTÂ Venue: Stamford Bridge
Jose Mourinho will want to get his side back to winning ways after their dramatic draw at Old Trafford last weekend while QPR are looking to build on some promising performances over the last two weeks.
Harry Redknapp’s side managed their second win of the season against Aston Villa last Monday while Chelsea top the table and are yet to be beaten in any competition.
Chelsea will want revenge after QPR turned up at The Bridge two seasons ago to claim a shock victory thanks to a single goal by former blue Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Indeed, Chelsea’s recent results against their near neighbours suggest that they struggle against The Hoops, not to mention the John Terry race scandal that threatened to throw Chelsea’s 2011/12 season into turmoil.
However, a victory for the visitors looks more unlikely than ever this time around, with Chelsea still holding their 100% home record this season and having only dropped points twice all season; both times against the two Manchester sides.
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In contrast, QPR sit second from bottom in the Premier League and have only managed two wins all season, one of which came last Monday against Aston Villa.
However, they do have a striker in form in Charlie Austin which could be vital in making sure they take any of the few chances that will come their way on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea have faced a couple of difficult games in the last week, with obvious challenges that a trip to Old Trafford throws up and the edgy victory over Shrewsbury in midweek, so they will be looking for as comfortable an afternoon as possible on Saturday.
Team News
Jose Mourinho has revealed that Diego Costa and Ramires will both be avaliable for the game and the former is almost certain to play from the start.
However, Loic Remy and John Obi Mikel will both miss out through injury while Cesar Azpilicueta is serving the final game of his three match suspension. Branislav Ivanovic returns from his one match ban.
QPR will be missing midfielders Jordan Mutch and Joey Barton as both continue their recovery from injury.
Chelsea rested a number of key players in their win at Shrewsbury in midweek so big names such as Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, John Terry and Thibaut Courtois are a good bet to return to the starting lineup against the R’s.
Predictions
It would be a huge surprise if Chelsea were to drop any points in this one, let alone lose the game altogether.
Mourinho has got his side controlling matches against the so called ‘smaller’ teams this season and he will want to maintain or even extend their lead at the top with a comfortbale victory on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea lineup: Courtois, Terry, Cahill, Luis; Fabregas, Matic; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Diego Costa
Your Predictions:
@CFCNewsApp 4-0
— Cescoholic (@MF_CFC19) October 31, 2014
@cfcnewsapp 3:0 Costa 2, hazard — Daniell (@DanniDonyah) October 31, 2014
@CFCNewsApp A hard fought West London derby clash with a narrow 5-1 victory for Chelsea. — Jim Mathieson (@TheRealJimmyMat) October 31, 2014
@cfcnewsapp CHELSEA 3 QPR 0> but will be hard — Fabregas Assist (@FabregasCosta1) October 31, 2014
Match Facts and Notes
- Chelsea are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge against promoted sides in 13 years (40 matches)
- QPR have lost just one of their last five Premier League matches against Chelsea
- Chelsea have failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games against QPR
- Chelsea have won 19 of their 48 matches against QPR, lost 13 and drawn 16
